Last week I was able to attend our monthly graduation program here
at Star of Hope’s Transitional Living Center, here in
Houston. This program is for women and families who have
encountered hard times and found themselves homeless.
Unfortunately, we have more single moms than dads. It is just hard,
when life turns its back on you and nothing seems to go right for
you or even worse, for you and... Read More »

I wanted to tell you about one of our volunteers, Peggy*. On three
separate occasions she has baked over 400 cup cakes and brought
them to Star of
Hope. We served over 600,000 meals last year; one of the things
that many times gets over looked is the “dessert.” Our clients have
so many homeless service needs, we are always looking for ways to
help make them feel at home. These cupcakes have been... Read More »

I am so happy that I love and am loved my by family. I certainly
hope and pray the same for you and yours. However, I received a
call yesterday from a friend of a friend, who had exhausted his
financial resources and was having to move out of his hotel… and
had no place to go. I called a staff member here at Star of Hope, a Houston homeless
shelter; we were able to get him into the shelter. He... Read More »

We had the Star of Hope Annual
Banquet last week and it was amazing to see just some of Star
of Hope’s donors attend. It was held at the Hilton Americas. As we
learned more about Houston’s homeless needs, we found that: • There
are 13,500 homeless right here in Houston. • Star of Hope, a local
homeless shelter prepared and fed over 620,000 meals during the
2011. • The number of homeless families... Read More »

Hey guys! I found these two photos of Thanksgiving lunch at
the Star of Hope.
The first pic is from many years ago and the
second is more current! The parallels touched my heart in
that, while years have passed, there are still the less fortunate
in our city, who really need our help. Every day, Star of Hope helps over 1,000
persons, about 1/3 are children. The more I work in... Read More »

I wanted to let you know that some of the key staff of Star of Hope Mission just returned
from the 98th Annual Association of
Gospel Rescue Missions conference last week. Tomorrow the
President will conduct a debriefing session, to communicate the
ideas and information learned. This is just one of the ways
we stay current on the Homeless needs and rehabilitation processes,
possible funding... Read More »

I wanted to tell you about
Charity Navigator, a national nonprofit rating
service. They take nonprofit tax returns (Form 990) and
calculate 9 factors which give an overall rating as to the
effectiveness of the nonprofit. They have incorporated
written reviews which have been posted by those who feel that
the nonprofit is especially effective. Star of Hope now has a
“three star” rating (out of... Read More »

Hey, do you want to read a really great, meaningful testimony from
a Star of Hope Mission former
Client? This testimony was given at the 2011 Annual Star of
Hope Banquet (in February), before 1,700 persons. When a
person comes from domestic violence or homelessness, to be able to
reclaim their life, we celebrate the miracle. If you ever
wanted to know what we attempt to do here at Star of Hope,... Read More »

As we close out the month of April, the National Month of
Volunteerism, we at Star of Hope
Mission want to recognize the immense contribution that
volunteers
make at Star of Hope. Here we use volunteers for almost
everything: to paint walls and fences, tutor classes, change-out
light fixtures, plant plants, and serve meals and a number of other
things. Sometimes they just conduct a drivefor... Read More »

Recently, I had a chance to visit with one of our volunteers. He
and a team from his employer have been involved in our new
volunteer Call
Center which started in November.For several years our
executive staff at Star of Hope, one of Houston’s
Emergency Shelters, has been concerned about how we can shorten
access time for homeless men, women and their families in need. So
we started a phone bank!... Read More »

I am in early this morning to attend to the last details for our
year-end. As I enter my office I see the wonderful picture of Ava,
the three year old of a homeless family, on my office wall. Her
sweet image gives me purpose and reason for my presence here this
morning.You and all those wonderful folks who partner with us at
Star of
Hope, help provide hope and emergency comfort, resources... Read More »

The last month of the year is so important to all non-profits, and
Star of Hope Mission is no exception. We budget approx 26 % of
revenue to be received during the last month of each year. I wanted
you to know how we are doing. As of last Friday, we have received
33% of our goal for the month.We believe that December’s goal is
attainable, because we believe helping Houston’s homeless... Read More »

During my eight years working for Star of Hope Mission, I have
watched over and over as homeless clients move from virtually “no
hope” with total dependence, to beginning their independent walk in
a new life. Star of Hope is not just a Soup Kitchen in
Houston! We offer Christian Ministries with such services as
drug rehabilitation, emergency homeless services, parenting
classes, career building... Read More »

The other day, while at the car dealership, I was wearing my shirt
with the Star of Hope logo. One of the employees stopped me to
visit. It seems that she was homeless over eight years ago; she and
her two young children had no place to go. They found Star of Hope Mission,
our Women
& Family Emergency Shelter downtown on Dowling. They
received food, clothing and a safe, dry bed. Since then, she... Read More »

My name is John Mills. After a lifetime in the “for profit
business world” I've been with Star of Hope Mission, a homeless
shelter in Houston, since 2002. I have watched over and over,
as homeless clients move from virtually “no hope” with total
dependence, to beginning their independent walk in a new
life. Star of Hope is not just a soup kitchen in
Houston! We offer Christian Ministries for such... Read More »